The University of Liverpool Celebrates Graduation of 800 Online Students Worldwide

Graduates include the first from the University of Liverpool online doctoral programmes

LIVERPOOL, England, Jan. 13, 2015 /CNW/ -- Nearly 300 graduates from the University of Liverpool's online programmes celebrated their graduation during ceremonies and events held on the University campus on 1 and 2 December, 2014. They are part of a graduating class of more than 800 students, representing more than 110 countries, who have recently completed their online masters and doctoral degree programmes from the University of Liverpool.

"We congratulate our newest graduates from around the world who earned their University of Liverpool degrees online, and welcome them to our thriving international alumni community. This is certainly an achievement to celebrate," said the University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Howard Newby. "We look forward to the tremendous impact they will have in their professions and communities around the world, applying the skills, knowledge and expertise they acquired in our online programmes."

The graduates included the Reverend Dr David C.M. Taylor of Liverpool, UK, who received his Doctor of Education (EdD) in Higher Education, the first graduate from the University of Liverpool's online EdD programme and the University's first online doctoral graduate. Dr Taylor, a University of Liverpool lecturer, Reader in Medical Education and priest in the Church of England, prepared his thesis on "Clinical academics' views on teaching undergraduate medical students".

"I am proud to be the first University of Liverpool graduate with an EdD, and I am really looking forward to the future with renewed enthusiasm to use this degree to bring about improvements for our students," Dr Taylor said.

In addition to attending the campus ceremonies, the graduates, their family and friends, as well as faculty, celebrated at the Online Graduates' Recognition Ceremony & Reception, held on 1 December at the Lutyens Crypt in Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, next to the university campus.  The event honoured graduates from several online programmes who received the Student of the Year and Dissertation of the Year awards, and provided an opportunity for all online graduates to meet and network with their peers from around the world.

The Student of the Year Awards – for outstanding performance throughout an online degree programme – were awarded to:

• Sabine Biasi, an LLM in International Business Law graduate from Italy, living in Canada
• Jeremy Chambers, an MSc in Global Marketing graduate from Jamaica, living in Japan
• Billy Crowley, an MSc in Information Systems Management graduate from Ireland
• Sarah Cusworth, an MSc in Applied Psychology graduate from the UK, living in Malaysia
• Bee Garrs, an MSc in Applied Psychology graduate from the UK, living in South Africa
• Amjad Hassonn, an MSc in Corporate Finance graduate from Palestine
• Michael Lustenberger, an MSc in Operations and Supply Chain Management graduate from Switzerland, living in Bolivia
• Corinna Mahle, an MSc in Forensic Psychology and Criminal Investigation graduate from Germany
• Victoria Sheppard-Merle, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduate from New Zealand, living in Germany
• Gerson Tuazon, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduate from Canada
• Judy Verbeeten, a Master of Public Health (MPH) graduate from Canada

The Dissertation of the Year Awards – for an outstanding dissertation – were awarded to:

• Christian Heise, an MSc in Software Engineering graduate from Germany
• Jesman Howera, an LLM in International Business Law graduate from Zimbabwe
• Corinna Mahle, an MSc in Forensic Psychology and Criminal Investigation graduate from Germany
• Mohammad Azfar Qureshi, an MSc in Clinical Research graduate, a Pakistani national from Saudi Arabia
• João Pires, a Master of Public Health (MPH) graduate from Portugal

Graduates from online programmes have the option to receive their degree certificate in person, alongside campus graduates at graduation ceremonies held twice a year at the University of Liverpool. Designed for working professionals, the University of Liverpool's fully online learning model enables students to earn an advanced academic degree without interrupting their career – from wherever they are based in the world. Students enjoy an engaging, global and highly collaborative learning experience that provides them with the knowledge and skills to achieve immediate professional impact – in addition to earning a degree from a university that is in the top 1% of higher education institutions worldwide.

For more information about the University of Liverpool's online programmes, visit www.university-liverpool-online.com.

About the University of Liverpool Online Programmes

The University of Liverpool is one of Europe's largest university providers of fully online postgraduate degree programmes. More than 10,500 students from more than 160 countries are studying for postgraduate certificates, masters and doctoral degrees online with the University of Liverpool. These programmes are provided in partnership with online learning expert, Laureate Online Education.

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SOURCE University of Liverpool Online Programmes

Jerry Sweitzer, PR Manager, Laureate Online Education, Tel: [phone], [email protected], http://www.university-liverpool-online.com